Is Someone Finally Ready to Buy PIA? Inside the National Airline’s Profit-Fueled Privatization

For the first time in over two decades, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) reported an operating profit of PKR 9.3 billion (approximately $33.1 million) and a net profit of PKR 26.2 billion for the fiscal year ending December 2024—all thanks to aggressive cost cuts, route optimizations, and government-backed debt relief. This landmark turnaround has set the stage for a renewed push to privatize the once cash?burning national carrier.

Next Week’s Bidding Bonanza

What’s on Offer?

• Stake for Sale: 51 – 100% of PIA
• Invitation: Expressions of interest to be invited next week
• Goal: Raise fresh capital and satisfy IMF?mandated reforms under a $7 billion support programme

Why Now?

The government has just shifted nearly all of PIA’s legacy debt onto state books, clearing a key roadblock that scared off bidders in the 2024 attempt. With cleaner balance sheets and proof of profitability, Islamabad hopes to spark a competitive auction this time around.

Cleared Clouds: Debt Relief & Reforms

• Legacy Debt: ~80% moved off PIA’s books, with the rest cleaned up post–last attempt
• Reforms Implemented:
• Workforce rationalization and early retirements
• Withdrawal from loss?making routes
• Stricter financial discipline across operations

These measures have not only delivered profit but also “fundamentally strengthened PIA’s position” according to CEO Amir Hayat.

What Went Wrong (Last) Time

PIA’s 2024 privatization bid attracted only a single, lowball offer—well under the government’s $300 million reserve price. Bidders flagged lingering debt concerns and tax issues, leading to a stalled process and another year of government bailouts.

The Sky’s the Limit—But Challenges Remain

Potential Suitors

• Regional carriers eyeing network expansion
• Private equity firms specializing in airline turnarounds
• Sovereign wealth and infrastructure funds seeking long?term assets

Headwinds to Watch

• Global Aviation Volatility: Fuel prices, exchange rates, and post?pandemic travel patterns
• Regulatory Hurdles: Slot allocation, bilateral air service agreements, and safety clearances
• Public Sentiment: PIA remains a national icon; any sale will be closely scrutinized by unions and the general public

With expressions of interest set to open next week, all eyes will be on who dares to bid on PIA—the airline that just proved it can fly in the black. Buckle up: the privatization ride is about to begin.

With Inputs from Reuters

Imagine witnessing the evolution of aviation through three-quarters of a century—when does a maintenance hangar become the launchpad for an industry’s future? On April 16, 2025, Air Works Group celebrated its 75th anniversary, marking a journey from humble DC?3 check?ups at Mumbai International Airport to becoming India’s largest independent MRO powerhouse. What secret fuel keeps this engine roaring, decade after decade? ?

Beginnings on the Tarmac: From DC?3s to Dreams

It all started on April 16, 1951, when (Late) BG Menon and (Late) PS Menon opened their first workshop at Mumbai International Airport. Armed with wrenches and vision, they serviced Douglas DC?3s and DC?4s—aircraft that had ushered in the golden age of commercial flight. What began as a small team supporting industrialists and international carriers would lay the foundation for India’s very first MRO industry. ?

Engineering an AtmaNirbhar Legacy

Long before “self?reliance” was a national rallying cry, Air Works pioneered indigenization. In the early 1980s, they launched a CAR?147 certified academy, churning out skilled technicians to meet India’s growing aviation demand. From avionics retrofits to full airframe overhauls, the company mastered over 50 different aircraft types, forging partnerships with heavyweights like Dassault, Bombardier, Bell, Leonardo, and Gulfstream. ?

Reaching New Altitudes: EASA, Defense, and Global Expansion

The 2010s signaled a bold leap: professional management, fresh capital, and India’s first private EASA?approved commercial maintenance facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. By 2011–12, a strategic JV with Boeing opened the defense MRO segment, servicing BBJ aircraft for Heads of State. Before 2019, Air Works also stood as India’s sole aviation MNC, with footprints across the USA, UK, Europe, Middle East, and China. ?

Fly Assured: Customer Loyalty and Pan?India Presence

With a network spanning 27 cities and 1,600+ dedicated employees, Air Works lives by its “Fly Assured” promise. Over 90% of customers—ranging from commercial airlines and lessors to the Indian Air Force and Navy—have remained loyal partners through weathered skies and turbulent markets. This customer?centric culture has kept the brand soaring, whether handling an A320 heavy check or a Bell helicopter retrofit. ?

Platinum Celebrations: Honoring People and Culture

Rather than glitzy public fanfare, the Platinum Anniversary focused inward—celebrating the “Air Works family.” Across India, employees and their loved ones were feted for their tireless dedication. At a grand puja ceremony, a specially curated medallion was unveiled—a symbol of past achievements and future promises. Ravi Menon, Director, fondly recalled growing from a 50?member team to over 1,600, emphasizing the company’s culture of collaboration, trust, and transparency. ?

“Our journey has been one of passion, perseverance, and professionalism,”

reflected D Anand Bhaskar, MD & CEO. “Turning 75 isn’t just a company achievement – but a collective tribute to the faith and commitment of every member of the Air Works family.” ?

Looking Ahead: Re?Inventing for Tomorrow

As Air Works moves beyond its Platinum milestone, the focus shifts to innovation and skilling—leveraging policy inputs for regional standards harmonization and indigenized solutions. With JVs like SA Air Works (avionics) and Acumen Aviation (asset management), the company is primed to write many more chapters: sustainable MRO practices, digital engineering, and training the next generation of aviation professionals. ?

From a modest hangar in 1951 to a pan?India aviation landmark in 2025, Air Works’ 75?year odyssey showcases the power of vision, agility, and a people?first ethos. As every takeoff begins with a run?up, so too does every tomorrow start with the lessons—and legacies—of yesterday. Fasten your seatbelts: the next ascent promises even greater heights!

Imagine earning flight points every time you order dinner or stock up on groceries—no airport required. IndiGo announced a game?changing tie?up with Swiggy that lets BluChip loyalty members earn 1 BluChip for every Rs.100 spent across Swiggy Food, Instamart, and Dineout platforms.

From Foodie to Frequent Flyer

Link & earn in 3, 2, 1…

• Link Your Account: Open your Swiggy app, go to Profile ? Partner Rewards ? IndiGo, and enter your 9?digit BluChip number.
• Spend & Save: Order your favourite biryani, fresh groceries, or book a Sunday brunch—every Rs.100 nets you a BluChip.
• Redeem Anytime: No blackout dates. No expiry. Redeem your BluChips for IndiGo flights on any route, any seat—with zero hassle.

Why This Partnership Makes Perfect Sense

• Seamless Rewards: Turns everyday spends into travel currency.
• Expanded Touchpoints: Swiggy’s 70M+ users now have a direct path to earn flight points.
• Boost for Both Brands: IndiGo deepens loyalty; Swiggy increases engagement.

No Strings, No Stress

“By earning rewards on every meal, grocery order, and dining experience, our users can fast?track their journey to their next adventure,” says Neetan Chopra, Chief Digital & Information Officer at IndiGo.

With no blackout dates and no expiry, BluChips hold their value until you’re ready to fly—be it next week’s business trip or next year’s dream vacation.

Voices from the Cabin & Kitchen

Phani Kishan, Chief Growth Officer & Co?founder at Swiggy, adds:

“Integrating IndiGo BluChip with Swiggy’s offerings makes travel and everyday experiences more rewarding for millions of users”.

In other words, your pizza night isn’t just delicious—it’s a deposit toward your next getaway.

What’s in It for You?

• Fast?track to Free Flights: Every meal gets you closer to a free seat.
• Triple?Platform Perks: From dosas via Swiggy Food to veggies via Instamart to fine?dine bills via Dineout.
• Instant Gratification: BluChips appear in your account within 24–48 hours.

Ready to Take Off?

Whether you’re a seasoned BluChip veteran or new to IndiGo’s loyalty universe, this partnership turbocharges your earning potential. So the next time you’re craving paneer tikka or need a last?minute vegetable run, remember: every rupee spent could be a rupee closer to your next boarding gate.

Download (or refresh) Swiggy ? Link your BluChip ? Start earning—your passport to the skies is just a cart away!

Ever dreamed of walking in Thelma and Louise’s tire tracks or peeking through the same hoodoos that hosted intergalactic aliens in Galaxy Quest? Now you can. Utah Film Commission and the Utah Office of Tourism unveiled the Utah Film Trail, a network of over two dozen physical markers guiding you straight to the real?world sets of Hollywood’s most unforgettable scenes.

What Is the Utah Film Trail?

This first?of?its?kind initiative combines the thrill of road?tripping with cinematic nostalgia. Each marker:

• Highlights the film or TV show shot at that exact spot
• Provides trivia and behind?the?scenes snapshots via an engraved plaque
• Features a QR code linking to deeper history, film clips, and director insights

Designed by Salt Lake City’s own Studio LP and expertly fabricated by Element Shop Works, these sleek metal frames let you literally frame the landscape just as it appeared on screen

Iconic Stops to Bookmark

Whether you hit the trail in your convertible or camper van, don’t miss:

…and that’s just the opening credits. More markers are rolling out across Utah through the end of 2025, so your “trail?blazing” list keeps growing.

Tips for Trailblazers

• Plan Ahead: Download the full marker map here.
• Scan & Share: Use the built?in QR codes to unlock video clips—perfect for that envy?inducing Reel.
• Combine Passes: Many film sites are in or near state and national parks. A Utah Annual State Parks pass makes sense if you’re hitting multiple stops.
• Seasonal Splendor: Utah’s red rock canyons pop with color year?round, but autumn’s golden light adds extra drama to your “takes.”

Film Tourism: From Silver Screen to Real-Life Scenes

Film tourism isn’t just fun—it’s big business. Over the past decade, productions shot in Utah have generated an estimated $6 billion in economic impact, drawing travelers eager to live out their favorite stories. In fact, a 2023 visitor survey found 37% of guests said movies and TV shows were a major factor in choosing Utah as their destination.

A Gateway for Global Storytellers

For Indian filmmakers and wanderlust-stricken cinephiles alike, Utah’s diverse backdrops—from salt flats that mirror otherworldly planets to alpine forests perfect for a romantic ballad—offer endless possibilities. With the Utah Film Trail spotlighting these locales, scouting trips become immersive, on?set experiences.

Get a sneak peek of your next adventure here.

Whether you’re a Bollywood director plotting your next blockbuster or a film buff craving that Insta?worthy shot, Utah’s Film Trail has the perfect setting. Pack your popcorn, tune your playlist, and start mapping your cinematic journey—because in Utah, you are the star.

India’s aviation sector is in the midst of a high-altitude race. As the new financial year unfolds, four leaders stand out for their uncanny ability to blend strategy, sustainability, and sheer operational grit. From ambitious fleet expansions to bold turnarounds, these CEOs aren’t just steering planes—they’re redefining an industry.

Jaideep Mirchandani

The Strategic Playmaker at Sky One

When Sky One’s Group Chairman Jaideep Mirchandani submitted his bid to revive GoFirst in mid?2024, it wasn’t just a splashy headline—it was a calculated move to cement India’s place on the global MRO and leasing map. Mirchandani, whose UAE?headquartered Sky One specializes in charters, training, MRO, and asset trading, sees GoFirst as more than just an airline acquisition. He aims to leverage its prized airport slots and traffic rights to build a home?grown aviation services powerhouse.

Building India’s MRO and Training Backbone

At Air Expo Abu Dhabi 2024, Mirchandani unveiled a roadmap focused on sustainability and operational reform. His blueprint calls for scaling pilot training academies, expanding MRO hangars, and rolling out cargo?optimization tech—all designed to support India’s target of 20,000 new pilots by 2030. With women’s empowerment initiatives and green fuel partnerships already underway, Sky One under Mirchandani is charting a new course for the sector.

Vinay Dube

The New?Age Disruptor at Akasa Air

If disruption had a poster child, it would be Akasa Air’s co?founder and CEO Vinay Dube. An Indian?American at the helm of a carrier barely three years old, Dube has guided Akasa from zero to a fleet of 27 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, serving 27 destinations. By July 2025, that fleet will swell to 30 planes—despite earlier delivery delays.

Growth with Grit and Green Fuel

Passenger traffic under Dube’s watch has more than doubled, surging from 7.75 million in March 2024 to a staggering 16 million in March 2025. But growth isn’t Dube’s only metric. With 199 more planes on order, he envisions Akasa as one of the world’s 30 largest airlines by 2030, commanding up to 15% of India’s domestic market. Strategic hubs at Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports will further boost connectivity, while experiments in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) demonstrate his commitment to eco?friendly expansion.

Campbell Wilson

The Turnaround Maestro at Air India

When former Scoot and Singapore Airlines veteran Campbell Wilson took charge of Air India in June 2022, he inherited a legacy airline weighed down by aging jets, outdated cabins, and bruised customer sentiment. Fast?forward to 2025, and his blueprint for revival is unmistakable: 250 Airbus and 220 Boeing jets on order, refreshed lounges across New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and connection times slashed from 10 hours to just three for major transit routes.

Quality over Quantity… for Now

In February 2025, Wilson paused further Boeing orders, citing the need to clear existing backlog before committing to more aircraft—an uncommon move in an era of aggressive procurement. Meanwhile, his team is overhauling cabin interiors, standardizing in?flight entertainment, and rebranding the frequent?flyer program as the ‘Maharaja Club’. While the full payoff of these measures may take years, early indicators—higher on?time performance, rising transit volumes, and positive social?media buzz—suggest Wilson’s “drinking from a firehose” approach is yielding results.

Pieter Elbers

The Global Expansionist at IndiGo

Dutch aviation stalwart Pieter Elbers brought his KLM pedigree to IndiGo in 2022, and the low?cost leader has never looked back. Since his arrival, IndiGo has doubled its international footprint—from 20 overseas destinations to roughly 40 by March 31, 2025—while upping its route count from 60 to 120.

Charting New Horizons with A321XLR

Elbers isn’t stopping at just quantity; he’s targeting quality. With Airbus A321XLRs on the horizon, IndiGo plans to launch up to seven new long?haul routes—and even introduce business?class seating on select high?yield sectors. He envisions another 10 international additions in FY26, mapping out a network that rivals legacy carriers while keeping the “Rising A” ethos of simplicity and reliability intact.

These four CEOs share a common altitude: an unflinching focus on operational excellence coupled with a visionary zeal for growth and sustainability. Whether it’s building India’s MRO backbone, setting new benchmarks in fleet expansion, orchestrating a corporate revival, or weaving a global route tapestry, their collective efforts are not just lifting their airlines—they’re propelling India’s aviation narrative skyward. As FY25 takes flight, passengers, pilots, and the planet all stand to gain from their high?octane leadership.

Ever wondered what turns a bustling airport into a vibrant cultural hub? At Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport), the answer lies just outside Terminal 2, where Art Park recently landed in spectacular style.

Art Takes Off Outside T2: A Symphony of Color and Culture

On a sun-drenched morning, travelers stepping out of Terminal 2 found themselves face-to-face with brushes, easels, and a riot of colors. This special edition of Art Park transformed the airport apron into an open-air studio, inviting everyone—jet?setters, locals, and curious visitors—to pause their journey and witness creativity in motion.

• Live paintings sprang up like wildflowers, each stroke breathing life into concrete.
• Interactive conversations sparked between artists and passers?by, turning fleeting encounters into lasting memories.
• Communal energy crackled as strangers became collaborators, all united by the shared thrill of creation.

It wasn’t just an exhibition—it was a celebration of art in its purest, most unfiltered form.

S.G. Vasudev’s Vision: Painting Public Spaces

Behind Art Park stands S.G. Vasudev, a luminary of contemporary Indian art and the initiative’s founder. For over 75 editions across Bengaluru, Vasudev has championed the idea that art belongs to everyone. He dismantles the walls of galleries by bringing canvas into the community—making art approachable, affordable, and, above all, alive.

“Art should surprise you,” Vasudev often says. “It should jolt you out of routine and remind you of the beauty in everyday moments.”

Live Creations and Conversations: The Heart of Art Park

What sets Art Park apart is its informal, inclusive atmosphere. Here’s what happened at BLR Airport:

• Brush & Banter: Artists painted side by side, sharing techniques and stories behind their work.
• Idea Exchange: Curious onlookers asked questions, offered suggestions, and even tried their hand at painting.
• Reflection Corners: Cozy nooks encouraged travelers to sit, sketch, or simply soak in the creative buzz before boarding.

It wasn’t about finishing a “perfect” piece—it was about experiencing the creative process and connecting over shared curiosity.

More Than Transit: Connecting Journeys Through Art

“BLR Airport should be more than just a place you pass through,” says Hari Marar, MD & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited. “With Art Park, we’re opening our spaces to local creativity and inviting the community to engage with the airport—whether you’re flying or simply visiting.”

By embedding art into transit, BLR Airport:

• Enriches passenger experience, turning wait times into moments of inspiration.
• Showcases Karnataka’s creative talent, spotlighting both established and emerging artists.
• Fosters community bonds, reminding us that airports can be cultural gathering spaces, not just departure halls.

T2 Art Program: A Tapestry of 210 Artworks

Art Park at T2 complements the airport’s larger T2 Art Program, which already features over 210 artworks by 67 artists—from sculptures evoking Karnataka’s landscapes to digital installations exploring human emotions. Together, these programs:

• Celebrate local heritage, weaving traditional motifs with contemporary voices.
• Offer immersive encounters, where each artwork tells a story and invites exploration.
• Reinforce BLR Airport’s identity as a destination in itself, not just a gateway.

Looking Ahead: Cultivating Creativity Beyond the Gates

What’s next after this dazzling outdoor showcase? BLR Airport plans to:

• Host themed art weekends, pairing live music, performance art, and workshops.
• Collaborate with art schools and colleges, giving student artists a high?visibility platform.
• Introduce digital art trails via the BLR Pulse app, so visitors can embark on self?guided creative explorations.

By continually reimagining the airport space, BLR Airport proves that travel and art can soar hand in hand—making every journey not just a trip, but an unforgettable cultural adventure.

So next time you find yourself at BLR Airport, ask yourself: Will your next flight take off from a runway… or from a canvas?